Observation Super

[cork beek]

Hi everyone, I made this super with a sheet of glass in it so I can look in to the super with out opening it. I was thinking of making the observation area bigger by reducing the bottom handle to about half of what it is now.

I also intend on making a door that will close when not in use

Here area some pictures

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/2012-03-27194903.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/2012-03-27191114.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/2012-03-27194852.jpg

So, what do ye all think?

Any and all comments welcome

 

[tonybloke]

def need to reduce the bottom batten, but looking good!

 

[cork beek]

def need to reduce the bottom batten, but looking good!

Thanks tonybloke, like i said i was thinking of doing that, and having looked at the pictures again, im defo gonna do it but always nice to get a second opinion.

 

[Easy Beesy]

I'm well impressed. You could sell these on a (4letter) web site - I bet they'd be popular.

 

[cork beek]

I'm well impressed. You could sell these on a (4letter) web site - I bet they'd be popular.

Thanks easy beesy.

Era, i may try to sell them, ill see. this one wasnt perfect. I made a few mistakes cutting the wood but that was before I got me some power tools, man they make it SOO much easier!

 

[Hivemaker.]

I agree reducing the width of the side bars would allow for a larger obsevation window. But not sure you will be able to observe much but the frame side bars.

 

[cork beek]

I agree reducing the width of the side bars would allow for a larger obsevation window. But not sure you will be able to observe much but the frame side bars.

I know what your saying hivemaker. The reason i did it this way was because i think bees work from the middle outwards and i should be able to see when they start in the super and work their way frame by frame.

But you have got me thinking, I have a bit of spare glass left over and I may make another one where I can see the frame full on.

Or how about a super with ALL sides glass?

Now thats an idea!

 

[Midland Beek]

Not much to observe in a super.

 

[cork beek]

Not much to observe in a super.

True, the brood box is where all the action is, but i like to be able to see in to the supers without opening them

 

[rae]

Good super, but I'd question the utility. We got a similar brood box from a supplier, and expected many happy hours of watching bees though the perspex. The reality is that nothing interesting happens at the edges, you just see bees wandering about.

 

[BeeJayBee]

True, the brood box is where all the action is, but i like to be able to see in to the supers without opening them

You'll be using an acrylic crown board too?

 

[cork beek]

Good super, but I'd question the utility. We got a similar brood box from a supplier, and expected many happy hours of watching bees though the perspex. The reality is that nothing interesting happens at the edges, you just see bees wandering about.

You could be right, but nothing ventured, nothing gained

I had a bit of spare glass so decided to make this, if nothing does happen, i can always convert the super back to a normal one so i dont lose the use of it.

 

[cork beek]

You'll be using an acrylic crown board too?

Yep, ill buy one from a supplier

 

[BeeJayBee]

Yep, ill buy one from a supplier

Check with a local signmaker, see if they can make you one out of clear 6mm acrylic, it might be cheaper.

 

[cork beek]

Check with a local signmaker, see if they can make you one out of clear 6mm acrylic, it might be cheaper.

I didn't even think of them, cheers for that beejoyful!

 

[BeeJayBee]

They'll probably also have offcuts that they'll give you for free. Useful for covering the top of the frames whilst inspecting.

 

[cork beek]

They'll probably also have offcuts that they'll give you for free. Useful for covering the top of the frames whilst inspecting.

A buddy of mine works in a builders providers so i can get all the scrap bits of wood i need. Comes in very handy

I also have a cloth that i sometimes use when doing inspections

 

[Hombre]

SN1 frames with castelated runners rather than Hoffman would give you a little more visibility I suspect.

Maybe it's an Irish thing CorkBee, but I would consider your 'handles' to be 'rails'. A novel turn of phrase though.

 

[cork beek]

SN1 frames with castelated runners rather than Hoffman would give you a little more visibility I suspect.

Maybe it's an Irish thing CorkBee, but I would consider your 'handles' to be 'rails'. A novel turn of phrase though.

LOL I couldnt think of anything when i originally posted and then "handles" popped in there but ya, rails would probably describe it better!

I was going to get castellated runners, i just had those frames on hand and put them in instead to see what it would look like. I think i may have some SN1 frames in the shed somewhere so ill put them together and check it out! Thanks Hombre!

 

[cork beek]

I just put 10 SN1 frames in and spaced them as best i could (havent got the castellated runners yet) and defo can see more in between the frames.

I also reduced the bottom rail (thanks to Hombre for that )

Here are some pics of it now...

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/Observation Super/DSCF1047.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/Observation Super/DSCF1048.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/Observation Super/DSCF1049.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy93/sckevin/Observation Super/DSCF1050.jpg